Residency Path to Certification

We have been certifying, supporting, and training teachers for the classroom since 1992. Our program has been nationally recognized by the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Innovation and Improvement as being successful and innovative.

Process

Future teachers will complete the application process. Upon acceptance, participants will begin pre-service training to help prepare them for the classroom during their residency year. After successful completion of program requirements, state requirements, and their residency year, participants will earn a standard teaching certificate in their certification area.

1. APPLY
2. PRE-SERVICE TRAINING
3. RESIDENCY YEAR
4. CERTIFICATION

Application Process

Choose Your Program

Our five distinct programs accommodate different subject areas, grade levels, schedules, and requirements. Your decision on which certification area to pursue determines the program you should enroll in and the certification tests you must take. Explore our programs to see which is the best fit for you, check the application deadlines and minimum qualifications required. 

Note: Keep in mind as you explore our programs, you will be considered a teacher resident and will complete a residency year instead of an internship year. See the Residency Year description below for more details.

Program Benefits

Explore Programs

Learn more about our program options

Complete the Online Application

Our online application will guide you through the required information and documentation. All applications and transcripts will be reviewed for eligibility. 
To begin the online application, you will need the following information:
  • A valid email address.
  • Social Security Number or Resident Alien number (this will serve as your application reference number).
  • Education history including institutions attended, and dates.
  • Employment history including the supervisor’s name and contact information and dates of employment.
  • Visa, Master Card, or check routing information for $100 application fee (non-refundable).
  • Please see additional certification program requirements.
Program Benefits

Apply

Create an account and begin your online application.

Required Documents:

  • Three Professional References

    Your three professional references must email a completed Recommendation Form to the Certification Department office on your behalf. The forms should be sent directly to ecp@esc13.txed.net.

  • Official College Transcripts

    Submit Official College Transcripts from ALL colleges. Official transcripts must be received in an unopened envelope sealed by the college or university. If the university or college uses an electronic transcript system such as Transcripts Network or eSCRIP-SAFE, this would be acceptable. The university must send an email with login or download instructions for the transcript to the ECP Registrar at ecp@esc13.txed.net. If your degree is from a foreign institution there will be additional transcript requirements.

  • Background Check

    Per TAC 227.1.(b) Educator preparation programs should inform all applicants that: (1) Pursuant to the Texas Education Code (TEC), § 22.083, all candidates must undergo a criminal history background check prior to employment as an educator. If you feel this is a concern and you have questions about eligibility for a Texas educator certificate, TEA staff may perform an evaluation for a non-refundable fee of $50.

  • PACT Scores

    If your GPA is lower than 2.5 on all coursework, or lower than 2.75 on last 60 semester hours of coursework, applicants must provide a passing TExES Pre-Admission Content Test (PACT) score.

    We occasionally accept participants with less than 24 hours in their content area but there must be an overriding factor (such as previous experience working with students) for this to be allowed.  If an applicant does not have the required coursework hours, they may submit a passing PACT score in their certification area in lieu of transcript hours.

  • Optional Test Scores

    Submit documentation scores from;  ACT, SAT, GRE, TASP/THEA, Compass or Accuplacer.

  • For those with Military Service

    Applicants who currently or previously served in the military can provide a Joint Services Transcript or equivalent as part of their application materials for review by the Cohort Specialist.

Have documents sent to Educator Certification Program Assistant, Education Service Center Region 13, 5701 Springdale Road, Austin, TX 78723 or ECP@esc13.txed.net. Please read above for specific document submission requirements.

Pre-Service Training

All participants will be required to attend pre-service training prior to their residency year.  Our certification program curriculum is aligned with Texas Education Agency standards and educational best practices.  All curriculum is taught by certified staff and content area experts. Training Topics include:

  • preparing for first days/weeks of school
  • establishing a positive and productive classroom environment
  • managing student/classroom procedures and behaviors
  • planning and creating developmentally appropriate instruction (curriculum and lesson plans)
  • using a variety of instructional strategies to increase engagement, rigor, and relevance
  • developing and using student assessments
  • content specific topics
  • professional responsibilities of a teacher

Our program curriculum also embeds technology from day one to ensure that future teachers are able to integrate technology effectively into their own classroom. Training Topics include:

  • demonstrating knowledge of basic terms and concepts of current technology
  • understanding and applying the guidelines for the legal and ethical use of technology and digital information
  • using productivity tools to communicate information in various formats
  • participating in electronic communities as a learner, initiator, and contributor; sharing information through online communication

Residency Year

Our future teachers will be placed in a school district for their year-long residency. During this time, participants will be working at least 3 days a week under the guidance of a Cooperating Teacher in their certification area. Participants will assume gradual responsibilities for the Cooperating Teacher’s classes and teach as much as possible throughout the year. During this time, Region 13 will provide support systems through a cohort model, coaching, and mentoring. Participants will be required to attend training that will continue to build on instruction learned during pre-service training.  About 2/3 of our classes are face-to-face and 1/3 of our classes are online; see your certification program’s specific schedule for dates. Teacher residents will not be working as full-time teachers of record; they will be paid by the district using the pay scale established for residencies in that district.

Program Schedule

Check program specific schedule for dates

Standard Certification

Upon successful completion of the certification program requirements, residency year, and state required tests, participants will be a fully certified teacher in Texas!

State Testing

Find out more about state required tests